THE TAPS PROJECT .12. CRIME, VAGRANCY, DEATH AND READMISSION OF THE LONG-TERM MENTALLY-ILL DURING THEIR 1ST YEAR OF LOCAL REPROVISION

The extent of crime, vagrancy, death, and readmission in a prospective cohort of long-term mentally ill patients was measured during their f irst year out of hospital. All 278 long-stay psychiatric patients disc harged during the first three years (1985-1988) of the closure of Frie rn and Claybury Hospitals were included. One patient was imprisoned, o ne committed suicide, and one became vagrant; five others may also hav e become vagrant. The mortality rate was similar for the leavers and t heir matched controls, who remained in hospital. There was one suicide among the matches. Mental deterioration most often caused readmission . On recovery, most patients returned to their community home. Six per cent of the cohort were readmitted and have remained in hospital for a year or more. With careful planning and a financial 'dowry' for each patient, the closure of large mental hospitals does not lead to a mar ked increase in vagrancy, crime, and mortality for the long-term menta lly ill. However, the patients who have yet to leave have more problem s of social behaviour and are likely to be more difficult to resettle.